Pennsylvania Act 1959-475 — ESTABLISHMENT OF EMERGENCY SEAT OF GOVERNMENT

Act text

ESTABLISHMENT OF EMERGENCY SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
                 Act of Oct. 23, 1959, P.L. 1373, No. 475             Cl. 71
                                  AN ACT

     To authorize the establishment of an emergency seat of
        government for the Commonwealth and to authorize the exercise
        of governmental powers and functions thereat during periods
        of emergency.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  Whenever, due to an emergency resulting from the
     effects of enemy attack, or the anticipated effects of a
     threatened enemy attack, it becomes imprudent, inexpedient or
     impossible to conduct the affairs of State government at the
     normal location of the seat thereof in Harrisburg, Dauphin
     County, Pennsylvania, the Governor shall, as often as the
     exigencies of the situation require, by proclamation, declare an
     emergency temporary location, or locations, for the seat of
     government at such place, or places, within or without this
     Commonwealth as he may deem advisable under the circumstances,
     and shall take such action and issue such orders as may be
     necessary for an orderly transition of the affairs of State
     government to such emergency temporary location, or locations.
     Such emergency temporary location, or locations, shall remain as
     the seat of government until the Legislature shall by law
     establish a new location, or locations, or until the emergency
     is declared to be ended by the Governor and the seat of
     government is returned to its normal location.
        Section 2.  During such time as the seat of government
     remains at such emergency temporary location, or locations, all
     official acts now or hereafter required by law to be performed
     at the seat of government by any officer, agency, department or
     authority of this Commonwealth, including the convening and
     meeting of the Legislature in regular, extraordinary, or
     emergency session, shall be as valid and binding when performed
     at such emergency temporary location, or locations, as if
     performed at the normal location of the seat of government.
        Section 3.  The provisions of this act shall control and be
     supreme in the event it shall be employed, notwithstanding the
     provisions of any other law to the contrary or in conflict
     herewith.
        Section 4.  This act shall take effect immediately.